Hydrogel implants with varying degrees of crosslinking

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel composition and methods of using the same. The hydrogel composition may include precursors that react with each other upon contact as well as precursors that react upon contact with an initiator. In embodiments, the resulting hydrogels may have varying levels of crosslinking with both denser and less dense regions.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for attaching mesh to tissue comprising:
 forming a mixture comprising a first reactive precursor comprising a multi-arm polyether possessing electrophilic groups, a second reactive precursor comprising nucleophilic groups, and at least one initiated precursor comprising at least one vinyl group; 
 contacting a mesh with a tissue comprising a surface; 
 injecting the mixture through the mesh and into the tissue; 
 allowing the first reactive precursor and the second reactive precursor to form a first hydrogel both underneath and on the tissue surface in contact with the mesh to releasably attach the mesh to the tissue; and 
 contacting the initiated precursor with an initiator to form a second hydrogel, the second hydrogel securely attaching the mesh to the tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initiated precursor is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, phosphorylcholine containing monomers, furanone functional vinyl monomers, potassium sulfopropyl acrylate, potassium sulfopropyl methacrylate, n-vinyl pyrrolidone, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, vinyl monomers having a high refractive index, siloxane functional vinyl compounds, polyethylene glycol-silicone co-monomers having vinyl groups, tris acrylate, pyrrole, liquid crystalline vinyl monomers, liquid crystalline vinyl polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initiator is selected from the group consisting of redox initiators, free radical initiators, radiation, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the radiation is selected from the group consisting of heat, visible light, ultraviolet light, gamma ray, and electron beam. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device further comprises a bioactive agent. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first hydrogel has a modulus of from about 10 kPa to about 50 kPa, and the second hydrogel has a modulus of from about 60 kPa to about 200 kPa. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first hydrogel degrades over a period of from about 1 day to about 7 days, and the second hydrogel degrades over a period of at least about 6 months. 
     
     
       8. A method comprising:
 forming a mixture comprising a first reactive precursor comprising a multi-arm polyether possessing electrophilic groups, a second reactive precursor comprising nucleophilic groups, and at least one initiated precursor comprising at least one vinyl group; 
 injecting the mixture into a tissue comprising a surface; 
 allowing the first reactive precursor and the second reactive precursor to form a first hydrogel both underneath and on the tissue surface; 
 contacting a mesh with the mixture; and 
 contacting the initiated precursor with an initiator to form a second hydrogel, 
 wherein the first hydrogel releasably attaches the mesh to the tissue and the second hydrogel securely attaches the mesh to the tissue. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first reactive precursor comprises a core selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide-co-polypropylene oxide, co-polyethylene oxide block copolymers, co-polyethylene oxide random copolymers, and combinations thereof, and wherein the second reactive precursor comprises a core comprising a component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide-co-polypropylene oxide, co-polyethylene oxide block copolymers, co-polyethylene oxide random copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(vinyl pyrrolidinone), poly(amino acids), dextran, chitosan, alginates, carboxymethylcellulose, oxidized cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hyaluronic acid, albumin, collagen, casein, gelatin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first reactive precursor possesses N-hydroxysuccinimide groups and the second reactive precursor possesses amine groups. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the initiated precursor is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, phosphorylcholine containing monomers, furanone functional vinyl monomers, potassium sulfopropyl acrylate, potassium sulfopropyl methacrylate, n-vinyl pyrrolidone, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, vinyl monomers having a high refractive index, siloxane functional vinyl compounds, polyethylene glycol-silicone co-monomers having vinyl groups, tris acrylate, pyrrole, liquid crystalline vinyl monomers, liquid crystalline vinyl polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the initiator is selected from the group consisting of redox initiators, free radical initiators, radiation, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the radiation is selected from the group consisting of heat, visible light, ultraviolet light, gamma ray, and electron beam. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the mixture further comprises a bioactive agent.